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2025 Best Biological & Physical Science Schools

97 Colleges in the United States
30,032 Biological Science Degrees Awarded
$33,793 Avg Early-Career Salary
Biological & Physical Science is of the hottest degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #38 most popular major in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

For its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 97 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for biological & physical science students pursuing a degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 30,032 degrees in biological & physical science during the 2021-2022 academic year.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Biological & Physical Science School

Best Biological & Physical Science Schools Your choice of biological & physical science school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. We derive our Best Overall Biological & Physical Science School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Pick Your Biological & Physical Science Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Biological Science
Bachelor's Degrees in Biological Science
Master's Degrees in Biological Science
Doctor's Degrees in Biological Science

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Biological & Physical Science Schools list to help you make the college decision. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

Best Schools for Biological & Physical Science in the United States

The schools below may not offer all types of biological science degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

21 Top Schools in Biological Science

1
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
92 Biological Science Degrees Awarded
18.5% Growth in Graduates

Any student who is interested in biological & physical science has to take a look at Rutgers University - New Brunswick. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers New Brunswick is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #74 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Rutgers New Brunswick is a great university overall.

There were about 92 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the biological & physical science major at Rutgers University - New Brunswick make $62,244 more than the average college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in biological & physical science from Rutgers University - New Brunswick

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
165 Biological Science Degrees Awarded
10.3% Growth in Graduates

Any student pursuing a degree in biological & physical science needs to check out Keck Graduate Institute. Located in the large suburb of Claremont, KGI is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

There were approximately 165 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at KGI in the most recent data year. Those biological & physical science students who get their degree from Keck Graduate Institute receive $34,913 more than the typical biological science grad.

More information about a degree in biological & physical science from Keck Graduate Institute

2
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University of Pennsylvania is a good choice for students interested in a degree in biological & physical science. UPenn is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Philadelphia. A Best Colleges rank of #2 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UPenn is a great university overall.More information about a degree in biological & physical science from University of Pennsylvania

2
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
57 Biological Science Degrees Awarded
$75,418 Median Starting Salary

It is difficult to beat University of Notre Dame if you want to pursue a degree in biological & physical science. Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Notre Dame. A Best Colleges rank of #29 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Notre Dame is a great university overall.

There were approximately 57 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at Notre Dame in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the biological & physical science major at University of Notre Dame earn $41,625 more than the standard college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in biological & physical science from University of Notre Dame

3
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
7th Most Popular In NY
56.3% Growth in Graduates

It is hard to beat Cornell University if you wish to pursue a degree in biological & physical science. Located in the small city of Ithaca, Cornell is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #9 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Cornell is a great university overall.

There were approximately 16 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at Cornell in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in biological & physical science from Cornell University

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In MD
12.0% Growth in Graduates

University of Maryland - College Park is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in biological & physical science. Located in the suburb of College Park, UMCP is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #37 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UMCP is a great university overall.

There were about 25 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at UMCP in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in biological & physical science from University of Maryland - College Park

5
Rice crest
Rice University
Houston, TX
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
9th Most Popular In TX
57.1% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Houston, Rice is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #48 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Rice is a great university overall.

There were roughly 7 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at Rice in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in biological & physical science from Rice University

5
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
76 Biological Science Degrees Awarded
$34,380 Median Starting Salary

Pitt is a very large public university located in the city of Pittsburgh. A Best Colleges rank of #85 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Pitt is a great university overall.

There were roughly 76 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at Pitt in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the biological science program state that they receive average early career income of $34,380.

More information about a degree in biological & physical science from University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

6
NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
11th Most Popular In NY
50.0% Growth in Graduates

NYU is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #16 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means NYU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 2 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in biological & physical science from New York University

6
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
11th Most Popular In VA
25.9% Growth in Graduates

University of Virginia is a very large public university located in the medium-sized suburb of Charlottesville. A Best Colleges rank of #35 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means University of Virginia is a great university overall.

There were approximately 27 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at University of Virginia in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in biological & physical science from University of Virginia - Main Campus

7
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
124 Biological Science Degrees Awarded
$37,419 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 5th out of 29 colleges for overall quality in the state of Oregon.

There were about 124 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at Portland State University in the most recent year we have data available. Biological & Physical Science degree recipients from Portland State University receive an earnings boost of approximately $3,626 over the typical income of biological & physical science graduates.

More information about a degree in biological & physical science from Portland State University

7
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, VA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
16th Most Popular In VA
25.0% Growth in Graduates

William & Mary is a moderately-sized public school located in the small suburb of Williamsburg. A Best Colleges rank of #103 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means William & Mary is a great school overall.

There were approximately 4 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at William & Mary in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in biological & physical science from William & Mary

8
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
68 Biological Science Degrees Awarded
$25,508 Median Starting Salary

UGA is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Athens. A Best Colleges rank of #69 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UGA is a great university overall.

There were approximately 68 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at UGA in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the biological science program report average early career wages of $25,508.

More information about a degree in biological & physical science from University of Georgia

9
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In MI
70.0% Growth in Graduates

Michigan State is a very large public university located in the small city of East Lansing. A Best Colleges rank of #54 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Michigan State is a great university overall.

There were approximately 10 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in biological & physical science from Michigan State University

10
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
84 Biological Science Degrees Awarded
$38,285 Median Starting Salary

Located in the medium-sized city of Eugene, UO is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 29 schools for overall quality in the state of Oregon.

There were roughly 84 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at UO in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the biological & physical science program at University of Oregon get $4,492 more than the typical college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in biological & physical science from University of Oregon

10
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In IA

UNI is a moderately-sized public university located in the small city of Cedar Falls. This university ranks 3rd out of 37 schools for overall quality in the state of Iowa.

There were approximately 13 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at UNI in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in biological & physical science from University of Northern Iowa

11
Bard crest
Bard College
Annandale-On-Hudson, NY
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
77 Biological Science Degrees Awarded
$39,296 Median Starting Salary

Located in the rural area of Annandale-On-Hudson, Bard is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. This college ranks 59th out of 136 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 77 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at Bard in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the biological & physical science degree program at Bard College earn $5,503 more than the average graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in biological & physical science from Bard College

12
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
87 Biological Science Degrees Awarded

Penn State University Park is a fairly large public university located in the small city of University Park.More information about a degree in biological & physical science from Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus

12
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
83 Biological Science Degrees Awarded
$36,709 Median Starting Salary

VCU is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Richmond. This university ranks 8th out of 57 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were roughly 83 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at VCU in the most recent data year. Those biological & physical science students who get their degree from Virginia Commonwealth University earn $2,916 more than the typical biological science grad.

More information about a degree in biological & physical science from Virginia Commonwealth University

13
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In TX
42 Biological Science Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Lubbock, Texas Tech is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 8th out of 115 schools for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were about 42 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at Texas Tech in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in biological & physical science from Texas Tech University

14
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In FL
735 Biological Science Degrees Awarded

Located in the suburb of Miami, FIU is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 13th out of 70 colleges for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were about 735 biological & physical science students who graduated with this degree at FIU in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in biological & physical science from Florida International University

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Biological & Physical Science students that almost earned our Best Biological & Physical Science Schools award.

Rank College Location
15 Modesto Junior College Modesto, CA
16 Mission College Santa Clara, CA
17 Georgetown University Washington, DC
18 Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VA
19 Thomas Edison State University Trenton, NJ
20 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NY
20 Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus Indiana, PA
21 Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL
21 Saint Anselm College Manchester, NH
22 George Mason University Fairfax, VA
22 University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst, MA
23 Mt. San Jacinto College San Jacinto, CA
24 Washington State University Pullman, WA

Biological & Physical Science by Region

View the Best Biological & Physical Science Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

One of 51 majors within the Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies area of study, Biological & Physical Science has other similar majors worth exploring.

Biological Science Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Biological & Physical Sciences 30,032

View All Biological Science Focus Areas >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Other Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies 31,307
Interdisciplinary Studies 9,114
International Studies 6,614
Nutrition Science 5,598
Behavioral Science 4,493
Sustainability Science 3,745
Data Analytics 3,495
Cognitive Science 2,852
Natural Sciences 2,514
Data Science 2,413

View All Biological Science Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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